All Things Charlie
What tragic event does Charlie tell us about in his first letter?
The suicide of Michael
Describe Charlie's relationship with his parents and siblings.
Answer will vary.
Who was the first person to befriend Charlie?
Patrick
Name one theme shown in this novel(ex. war, persistence, hope, etc.)
Answers will vary.
Adolescence, Abuse, Friendship, Love, Family, Sadness, Literature
What is one life message you can take away from Brad's character?
Be yourself; Don't hide who you are; Don't betray the ones you love
Name one thing Charlie does at the holiday party that surprises everyone.
Gets everyone meaningful Christmas gifts even though he just met them.
Recited a poem
What happens on the car ride to see Charlie's father's family?
Charlie's sister and brother argue over his girlfriend and female stereotypes. Charlie's brother brings up that she let a guy hit her. Her father slams on the brakes and reprimands them. Then, he allows Charlie to drive the rest of the way.
Describe the relationship between Bill and Charlie. Why was this important to the story?
Bill gave Charlie additional books and papers to complete. Bill became a confidant of Charlie's therefore Charlie felt comfortable sharing information with him.
How is the theme of friendship seen in the novel? What is the message about friendship?
Charlie/Sam/Patrick
Charlie/Bill
Friendships need healthy communication and connection
What do we learn from Sam?
We accept the love we think we deserve
The aftermath of abuse can affect people's decisions later on in life(relationships, etc.)
What happens when Charlie goes to defend someone?
Charlie blacks out while fighting and doesn't remember what he has done.
Describe Charlie's sister's relationship with her boyfriend. Ultimately, what happens between them?
His sister decides to date him even though he hit her. Even after her parents find out, she secretly dates him. She then ends up pregnant by him but has an abortion.
What was the one activity the group of friends participated in? Why do you think they enjoyed it so much?
Rocky Horror Picture Show
It allowed some of them to express themselves. Others were able to be someone else for a while
How is the theme of love seen? What is the message about love?
We accept the love we think we deserve
Everyone deserves someone who truly loves them
Love shouldn't involve a constant cycle of hurt
What do we learn from Charlie's family?
Abuse can become a cycle involving multiple family members and seep into future generations if not dealt with properly.
How does Charlie react to Sam's sexual advances towards the end of the novel?
Charlie gets really uncomfortable and starts to see flashes of his Aunt Helen.
What happened to Charlie's grandmother?
Charlie's grandmother married a man that abused her and her kids. When her brother found out, they beat the man.
What happens between Charlie and Mary Elizabeth?
They, haphazardly, start dating. Mary Elizabeth dominates the relationship and talks excessively about herself. One night while playing Truth or Dare, Patrick dares Charlie to kiss the prettiest girl in the room and he kisses Sam.
How is the theme of adolescence seen in the novel? What is the message about growing up or coming of age?
The journey of all the teenage characters
Coming of age is a tough journey but you learn so much
What do we learn from Patrick's story?
We accept the love we think we deserve
You shouldn't be with someone who doesn't acknowledge your relationship or who you are as a person
Don't allow someone to make you feel less than or unworthy